MP Report

Since my last report, we have now passed the first 100 days in office since the new Liberal Government was sworn into power. As is customary, this 100 day milestone is marked by close scrutiny of Government actions from a wide variety of media and pundits. One particular analysis that caught my attention was from journalist David Akin who examined the spending habits within the first 100 days of the current Liberal Government compared to the former Conservative Government. By the numbers the former Conservative Government announced $3.9 Billion in spending commitments within their first 100 days. In contrast the new Liberal Government has announced spending commitments totalling $5.3 Billion in its first 100 days in office.

What is most interesting is that $4.3 Billion of the total $5.3 Billion that the Liberals have announced will be spent entirely outside of Canada, leaving just $1 Billion to be spent on projects within Canada. By comparison of the $3.9 Billion announced by the former Conservative Government in the first 100 days virtually all of it was for projects and programs within Canada; only $211 million was spent outside of our borders. Obviously this different direction in spending priorities was part of the promised change that the Liberal Government was elected under. We will learn more about the future spending priorities of the Federal Government when the Minister of Finance tables his first budget on March 22, 2016.

Also occurring this week in the House of Commons this week will be debate and a vote on the recently announced Liberal mission changes related to the campaign against the terrorist group ISIS. For more information on these changes and the new mission please see my MP report from last week that can be found here:

Before I close this week I would like to thank those citizens who came out to attend my `Hold your MP to account` town hall in West Kelowna recently. The attendance was very encouraging and many good questions were asked by citizens who held me to account on a variety of different subjects. Given the success of this event I will also look to have similar accountability town halls in other communities in Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola over the coming months. Also a reminder for those who cannot make these town halls I am always available for your comments, questions and concerns at: dan.albas@parl.gc.ca or toll-free at 1-800-665-871